Verdict

Hello All.

Following are my quotes for the past two weeks:

"Good habits result from resisting temptation" - Ancient proverb
"There's no easy way out. There's no short cuts home." - Song-No Easy Way Out by Robert Tepper
"The world meets nobody halfway. When you want something, you gotta take it." - Sylvester Stallone from the movie Over The Top

That first quote was sent to me while in New Orleans to encourage me to stay "good" while there. If you've seen my video, you know I was just ok, not good, not bad, but ok. The verdict: I gained a half pound while there while my goal was to lose at least a pound. Another verdict, I gained another half pound when I got on the scale on my normal weigh in day the following Tuesday. To say the least, I was upset and very frustrated.

So, we're nearing the end of the competition and I'm getting really nervous. Why, you ask? Because the true test of my transformation will be when I don't have anyone to report to (in a manner of speaking). I'm confident that I will continue my transformation and eventually reach my goal but let's keep it real. What do we do when no one is around? Here's an example: I tell my son all the time not to ride my computer chair like it's a car. I'm sure you can guess what he does when I leave the room. He's rolling all over the hardwood floors! It's easy to stay on task when someone is "watching" and you're accountable to them. But again, the true test will be when no one is "watching". I personally feel that my weight loss should have been significantly higher at this stage in the competition. Since it began in March, I've trained at Fitness Together 5-6 days per week consistently (with the exception of vacations). Seriously, the fat should be melting off of me! So I started thinking about things and how they're going for me. I've made tremendous changes in my eating habits but I'm coming to realize that some things I've eaten in the past and enjoyed, I simply cannot partake of. Not at all….especially if I can't do it in moderation. ALSO, everyone that knows me can tell you that I'm not shy, timid, quiet or anything along those lines. But I've noticed something. Since I've begun losing weight, I've received lots of compliments. I mean lots! And I tell you, I became a little too confident, but at the same time, I was (and still is sometimes) embarrassed by all the attention. It puts a tremendous amount of pressure on me. Every week, someone asks me how much I've lost. If I didn't have a huge number to report, I notice the expression on some of their faces. Silent disappointment. I understand. I'm disappointed in myself. I've become the role model for others and I need big numbers to continue to motivate them. Enough of the sappy stuff!! This isn't me! I'm strong Alicia and I'm going to meet my goal.

Random thoughts:
- I took the elevator in New Orleans. I had to. My room was on the 23rd floor and I was not going to take the stairs. I contemplated trying to do it once but quickly changed my mind. I didn't want to be found on the 16th floor stairwell passed out. I'm back on the stairs now!

-Based on Maya Angelou's quote last week, at work, a group of 7 phenomenal women are participating in a weight loss competition that begun last August called the "Drop It Like It's Hot" weight loss competition and as of the end of June have collectively lost 136 lbs (9.85%) & 59 inches. Congrats Ladies!

-I absolutely LOVE my trainers! I love when they give me disapproving looks and talks when I eat something I shouldn't have or when I don't work out on vacation like I should have. They equally encourage me and say "great job" after I've completed a set of something during my workouts. It's very encouraging to hear a "good job" or "well done" after I've done a bear walk, plank, mountain climbers, etc. I often don't feel I've done a good job on a new difficult exercise; however, it's my own feelings. My trainers always motivate me with their encouraging words. Thanks: Julie, Kyle, Holly, Kalla, Joe, John, Sabrina & Ross.

Until next time……….
Alicia